Nicholls women's basketball team adds options to roster

Thursday

Jun 6, 2013 at 8:24 AM

Nicholls State University's women's basketball coach DoBee Plaisance has looked for versatile players in every recruiting class in building her program.While the 2013 signing class was concentrated to help the front court, the players coming in have the ability to play either forward or center, giving Plaisance more options in the paint.

Teddy RenoisStaff Writer

Nicholls State University's women's basketball coach DoBee Plaisance has looked for versatile players in every recruiting class in building her program.While the 2013 signing class was concentrated to help the front court, the players coming in have the ability to play either forward or center, giving Plaisance more options in the paint.During the signing period, the Colonels added Marina Lilly, a 6-foot-3 center from Dallas Skyline High School, Elexus Allen, a 6-1 forward from John Paul Stevens High School in San Antonio, and Taylor Morrison, a 5-8 wing player from St. Michael the Archangel in Baton Rouge. Later in the recruiting process, the Colonels added Shay Arnick, a 6-2 forward from Northeast Oklahoma A&M, and UNC-Willmington transfer Jovana Mandic, a 6-4 center from Croatia, to the program. Mandic will have to sit out next season but will have two years of eligibility beginning in the 2014-15 season.Plaisance said getting bigger and more physical under the boards was emphasized with this class, but she didn't want to stray from signing players that can play several positions."Our front court has been somewhat of a challenge since I walked on campus. Not only are we excited with the physical size of these players coming in, what we like most is their versatility. Even though Marina is a legit 6-3 and Elexus is a legit 6-1, they are interchangeable. You can play them at either the four or five spot," Plaisance said. "Shay is interchangeable and what is super about those three bigs, we are getting three legit post players that we can create options with. Morrison was ranked as the top combo guards in the state. She has enough size that I can post her up, but she is a strong guard with a great outside shot. With open looks, she will knock down 8-of-10 on a bad day."It was an historic 2012-13 season for Nicholls. The Colonels had their first-ever winning season (19-11) and earned their highest seed (fourth) in the Southland Conference Tournament. However, the Colonels lost to McNeese State in the first-round of the tournament to end the historic run.Nicholls returns every player from last season except one — record-setting forward Alisha Allen. Plaisance said even though she has a veteran team, she does expect her newcomers to make an impact immediately."When we look at the different lineups and the possibilities that we have, it is a good situation to be in," Plaisance said. "In the past it was clear, early on, who would be in what lineup or rotation, but going into this season, there really isn't a given. I hope that resonates through the program and the players have always worked hard, but now this might up the ante. Minutes are not so clear and I do believe that competition breeds championships."Colonel fans will have to wait one season before Mandic sees the floor and Plaisance said there is a possibility she could add one more transfer to the program over the summer.Plaisance said it was through her relationship with WNBA legend Cynthia Cooper, who recruited Mandic to UNC-Wilmington, that helped the Colonels land the 6-4 post player."Jovana was recruited by Cynthia, but Cynthia left to coach at Texas Southern and then at Southern California. Jovana stayed (at UNC-Wilmington) to give the school a chance, but it wasn't the same without Cooper there," Plaisance said. "We got a call from someone who knows Cynthia and I know her from way back in the day. They felt we would be a good fit for her and it came down to us, Boise State and UNC-Charlotte or the College of Charleston."While she is putting the final touches on 2013, Plaisance and her staff are preparing to begin recruiting for the 2014 class.Plaisance said she beat out bigger schools on a couple of players in her current class and she is going up against the top programs again in looking for talent to improve her team."Marina Lily was offered, by Kentucky, TCU, Kansas State and Arkansas-Little Rock and some of the kids we are going after for 2014, it is similar competition. I feel confident and are we going to get them all, no, but that is why you over recruit," Plaisance, who is beginning he sixth season at Nicholls, said. "July is always big and we are working hard in terms of laying down the ground work to what we believe will be an active month. The 2014 class could be another class to compliment this class. We are in on some high-profile student-athletes with some high-profile programs, but that doesn't intimidate us and we will just keep plugging away."

HOOP-DO-DO ON THE BAYOUThe women's basketball program is holding a fund raiser — Hoop-Do-Do on the Bayou — at 6:30 p.m. on June 27 at the Foundry. There will be a meal, silent auction and a meet and greet with the record-setting women's basketball team. Anyone interested in attending can contact assistant coach Mark Beason at 448-4758 or 807-4114 or at mark.beason@nicholls.edu.